2019 RTL rear air bag PSI

[Oldpepsiguy]

Hi all, I'm relatively new to Spyder ownership and have a question about the rear air bag suspension. I bought this 2019 RTL used a few weeks ago and over that time I noticed that when the rear tire hit a bump in the road that it seemed to be more impact felt than should have been, rather rough. I looked at my manual on the air bag and adjusting the suspension. When I checked the pressure with a gauge under the seat it was 12lbs psi, I thought that was way too low in my opinion and set it at 55psi. I am a big man, right at 300lbs and my wife rides with me sometimes, but she's lite and travels easy lol. My question is should that pressure have ever been as low as 12 lbs psi and does this bike self regulate the pressure or is it strictly a manual setting. BRP manual was really that clear to me. Thanks in advance for any wisdom you can share. Jim

 

[CopperSpyder]

There is an air compressor that will add and release air automatically as needed depending on weight on the bike. It will only work when the bike is running. Things in the system can go bad i.e. fuse, compressor, switch etc. so you may need to check to to see if its working.

 

[Woodaddict]

you have RTL, which keeps the ride height at the level you choose. 2019, don't know where the adjustment is at. my 2015 has a switch that goes from low -high, that icon appears on dash when pushed to see where the level is set at.

maybe somebody with 2019 can tell you where to set it at. there can be problems in the line connections, or bag itself can have a leak from road rocks debris in bottom cup like bottom

 

[Steve W.]

Yes, your RTL should compensate for any weight and adjust itself to a preset height. With a button (on the switch panel on my wife's '17 RTS), you can select your preset height. I have never checked the pressure at different heights, so I don't know how your 12 psi compares.

Not only is it necessary for the engine have to be running, the transmission needs to be NOT in neutral and the parking brake OFF. If you park on a level area, you can test this yourself. Start the bike, select first gear, disengage the parking brake. Find your suspension adjustment (might be different location than previously mentioned). On our bike, the first press of the button will 'wake up' the system and activate the display. The second press of the button will actually make the changes.

We usually keep the height indicator in the center, but with your size, one setting above that might give you a bit more suspension travel for a better ride.

.

 

[2dogs]

On my 14 RTS I can hear the compressor making its adjustments (when sitting still and not in motion). I believe the manual says don't exceed 80 PSI. Also, I was told that the BUDS system can be changed to accommodate a different preset ride height for heavier or lighter-weight riders. My preset was (reset) for a 150 lb. rider by a BRP qualified service tech. With a FOBO on my Schrader valve riding one up, I ride showing the second bar on the dash gauge. The FOBO reads that out at 35 PSI. Riding two up the FOBO reads out at 78/82 PSI. There was a post here a while back, regarding two heavy-weight people who together exceeded the spyder's weight capacity. If I recall the poster was advised to install a higher capacity rear shock spring to avoid damage to the system.

 

[EdMat]

On the 2018 and later Limited systems there is no button to press to adjust the rear ride height, it is preset. You can make some adjustments using BUDS 2. If it is not maintaining the correct height it can be a lot of reasons from a rod not connected, to a burned out air compressor, blown fuse, loose wire, etc.

If you can manually add air and it holds its height over time and the psi you put in, I would think that would narrow it down to something in the height sensing system part.

 

[Snoking1127]

I had never heard my compressor run, so I le the air out and started it up and it returned to normal height.